An intelligent fixture with a dynamic clamping scheme

Both proper fixture design and optimum fixturing execution are crucial to w orkpiece quality assurance in manufacturing. This paper deals with an integ rated approach to fixturing problems and, in particular, a 'live' fixture w ith sensory feedback and on-line fixturing control strategy to perform an o ptimal fixturing operation. The framework of an integrated fixture design p rocedure is first presented. The functions and structure of an intelligent fixture are proposed. The prototype intelligent fixture with dynamic clamps capable of delivering accurate but varying clamping intensity is developed . This novel set-up has been proven to be effective for workpiece quality i mprovement and productivity enhancement through machining experiments on th in-walled workpieces.